Lumber -marker



May 28, 1929. J. G. MCDONOUGH LUMBER MARKER 5 Sheets-,Sheet Filed NQv. 14, 1927 [n1/en or JOSEPH 6. Mc DoNoL/GH B 4.4.1, 44! faim Abaorneys May 28, 1929. J, G MCDQNOUGH 1,715,207

LUMBER MARKER Filed NOV. 14, 192,7 `5 Sheets-Sheet 2 l `[m/erwor JOSEPH 6. McDo/wouah B M//qcww Avtforneys May 28, 1929.

.1.6, McDoNoUGl-i LUMBER MARKER Filed Nov. 14, 1 927 5 Sheets-Sheet l [n1/@mbar JOSEPH 6. McDo/vouca/-l May 28, 1929 J. G. MCDONOUGH I 1,715,207

LUMBER MARKER Filed Nov. 14, 1927 5 sheets-sheet 4' Abborneys May 28, 1929. -J G. MCDONOUGH 1,715,207

LUMBER MARKER Filed Nov. 14l 192? 5 Sheets sheet 5 K Inl/nuor JOSEPH 6' McDoA/ouc-l HQ 9 Patented May 28,V 1929.

iran-stares arent JOSEPH G. MCDONOUGH, or New ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

LUMBER MARKER.

yApplication lfed November le, 1527. rSerial No. 233,182.

ThisV invention relates to improvements in lumber markers ot the type particularly adapted tor use in marking lumber that' is moving longitudinally, as from Aa planer or other machine ordevice.

rFhe present invention is in many features an improvement upon the lumber markers disclosed in my tormei'Fatents No. 1,383,552, issued July 5, 1921 and No. 1,%O0,223, issued December 13, 1921.

`An Object of' the invention is to provide a lumber marker with a plurality of independently operable dies and die carriers, arranged in the path ot' the moving lumber, eachV die f being providedwith independent means resisting initial movement of the die when subjected to the impact ot then'ioving lumber.

Other objects of the invention will appear' from the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings, there has been disclosed a structure v designed to carry out the various objects or" the inventiombut it is to be understood that the invention is not scale, v`showing .the end of a board about to engage the means for supporting lthe inlnngV roll; y Y

Figure 4; 1s a vertical sectional view on the line 4-11 of Figure 7, showing the end of a board about toengage .the die blocks, the inl;- ing 'roll having been moved upwardly vout ot the way-of the board; Y

Figure 5 is a similar view showing the position of the end ot the board, after having engaged ,thev die blocks;

Figurev 6 is aplan view' ot the apparatus showingth-e weighted bars tor resisting ini- A tial movement of the die carriers;

Figure 7 is a sectional plan view von line Z-T of Figure 3 Figure 8 isa cross sectionalview on line Y Figure 9 is a detailed sectional View on line 9-9 o1' Figure el, showing the construction ot the inlring cylinder and also the inlring roll; 'y

Figure 10 isa detailed Ysectional view showing :thedie blocks engaged with a board having its .end cut on a slightangle;

Figure 11 is adetailed view showing die carriers removed from the machine;

Figure 12 is a detailed sectional view showing the means provided for mounting the device upon a standard; and

Figure 13 is a perspective view showing` a piece of lumber with a marl; imprinted on one end thereof. f

The novel lumber marker featured in this invention is hereshown mounted at the'discharge end oi an ordinary planer 2 with its dies in the path of the moving lumber 3 as it is discharged from the planer, by meansot the usual feed rolls 1 4 and 5 5. The marker is here shown supported upon a standard G, having its lower end suitably secured tothe floor and having its intermediate Vpoi'- tion suitably braced to the planer by means ot a member .7. A guide block 8, having a vthe lbeveled tace I1 0, is secured to the standard 6 and cooperates with an adjustable guide member to guide the lumber to the markdies, as `shown in Figure l.

rThe marker preferably comprises spaced traine members 9 andll, connected by shoulde'red studs 12,13 andlt. (See Figures2, 7,v and- 8.) rlhese frame members are pivotally mounted upon the standard 6 by means of'a stud 15, having an annular flange' 16 engaged with a plat-e 17. The stud 15 also preferably has a portion 418 in threaded engagement with `the plate 17. This threaded portion 18 has a terminally threaded extension 19 passing't-hrough an elongated openingY or slot 21 provided in the standard 6. A nut 22 in vthreaded engagement with the extension 19 adjustably secures vthe stud 15 to the standard. rTheY plate 17 is locked against rotation by means of a stud 23. secured tothe lower portion thereof and alsoY traversing the slot 21', as particularly shown. in Figure 12. By thus supporting the apparatus upon the standard 6, it mayreadily be vertically adjust-ed to properly position itto mark lumber discharged from a planerv or other apparatus or device.

The side frame members 9 and l1 are preterably substantially U-shaped in form, as

iio

shown in the drawings, and the spaced legsl cured to the leg 25 of the frame member 11,.

adapted to loverhang thel plate 17 and standarrdj6 to retain the frame members vand the operating mechanism in the position shown in Figures 2 and 3. This bracket 27 therefore prevents the outei end of the frame members from dropping downwardly when the latter are in normal position, as when no boards are beingl fed through the marking device. The bracket 27 may be secured to the leg 25 of the frame member 1l bysuch means "as rivets 28.

An important feature of this invention resides in the means adapted to be engaged by the lumber or board as it is fed through the machine to imprint a mark on the end thereof. In lumber marking machines, difiiculty is experienced in obtaining aV clean cut and sharp impression of the die or dies upon the lumber, because of the fact that the end of the lumber is not always square with the longitudinal center line of th-e board and, further, because the letters or characters to be imprinted upon tlie vend of the lumber have been carried or mounted upon a single supporting means. To overcome this diiiiculty, I support the dies uponseveral independently operable die holders. By this means this objection is eliminated. c

My. marking means therefore in its preferred form comprises a plurality of die carriers 29 which are pivotally mounted preferably upon a sleeve 31 supported upon a'pin 32 adapted tobe received in suitable openings provided in the lower portion of the side frames 9 and l1.' (See Figures 2, 3, 4, and v The pin 32, preferably has a head 33 to faciliagainst the spacing stud 13 which also functions as al means to align the dies and to properly position them with respect to the end ofthe board.

,.Each `die carrier preferably has a flat springmember '37 secured to the upper portion of the hub thereof by means of screws 38. The outer end'of each spring member is connectedto its complementary die Carrier by means of a screw 39 secured in the bottom of a socket 41, wherein a comparatively light compression spring 42 is mounted, one end of which bears against the bottom ot the socket 41 and itsY other end against the under surface of its complementary spring member 37.

As a result, the lower surface of each spring memberv 37 is spaced from the adjacent surface of its complementary die carrier`29.

Another feature of this invention resides'in the means provided for initially resisting movement of the die carriers when engaged by the lumber. By temporarily resisting the initial movement of the die carriers, when p.

engaged by the end of aboard, a clean cut and sharp impression will be imprinted on the board before the die carriers are permitted to swing out of the way of the board to theirl inoperative positions. The means provided for thus resisting the initiall movement of the die carriers is best shown in Figure 2, andcomprises a plurality of comparatively heavyv thus causing the heavier ends of the bars to normally restupon the spacing stud 12, as shown. In other words, the pivot pin 44, upon which the bars are supported, is off-setv from the centerof the bars a distance sufhcient to cause the heavier ends of the bars to assume the position shown in Figure 2, caused bythe heavier ends slightly overbalancing the Vopposite lighter ends. i

The connections provided between the bars 43 and their complement-ary die carriers 29 f consist of a plurality of struts or thrust members 45, yieldably and movably connected with their complementa-rybars 43 by means of tension springs 46, the latter each'having one end connected with a strut 45 and'its opposite end toa bar 43. each strut 45'preferably has a convened face 47 seated in a concaved seat 48 provided in the lower edge of the co-operatingy bar v43.

The upper end of y The struts'45 areretained in thel seats 48 by the action ofy the springs 46. A pin 49 has its ends seated inthe side frame members 9 and 11, at a point directly above the swinging ends ofV the die carriers 29,*and against this pin the struts 45 are normally positioned.'

By observing Figure 2, it will be noted that each strut is provided with a recessed portion i 51, which normally engages the pin'49. The lower portion of each recess 51 terminates in a cam face 52 which'is adapted to engage the pin 49, when theA strutv is ino-ved upwardly1 thereby causing the lower end of the strut to be moved outwardly iii a direction awayfrom the axis of the die carriers, a distance suilicientto permit the spring members 3T of f the die carriers to pass the lower ends of the struts, after which the die carriers may swing to then' inoperative positions, as shown in through the struts to the balance bars.

Figures 1 and 5; The struts 45 are mounted between side plates 53 secured to the side frame members 9 and 11"I by means ofthe all of lsubstantially the vsame thickness. i

U-shaped member 54 is secured to the legis of 4the frame members 9 and 11r to provide means for limiting.; the upward movement of the bars 43, when they latter bound upwardly as a result of thelumberimpactine' with the dies, the force'lof the impact being;` transmitted from the die 'ci in actualpractice,` it has-been found desirable to construct t-he die carriers,`their 'supporting sleeve 31 and pin 32, and also the struts 45, of spring steel which has a certain amount of resiliencywhich causes the balance bars to boundv upwardly when the lumber impacts with the dies, caused by the force tending rihe` rethe parts causes the balance bars to respond quicker tothe action of the die carriers after the latter has been engaged bythe lumber.

f Another feature offtlns invention resides in the means for inking the dies. As here shown this means. comprises an inking roll 55,

rotatably mounted in oneend of a box-like supporting member 56, supported Vbetween the t-wo side frame members 9 and 11 by means of a cross pin 57, havingl itsend` portions'slidably mounted in inclined slot-s -58 provided in the frame members 9 and 1-1. {(See Figures 2, 3,4, and The pin 57 is secured to the side walls of the supporting, member 5G and has itsy terminals extending` through the slots 58. rilhe pin 'cooperatesfwith the'jslots 58 tofprovide a variable pivotal'support for the me1nber56.- rlhe supporting' member 5G is provided with a reduced endr portion 59 adapted to pass under the tie rod or stud14 to prevent the opposite endyof the 'membery 5G from tilting` downwardly too far. A stop member G1 is provided for limiting the for- `ward movement of the supportingi member y This stop member, as shown miliigure 2, is pivotally supported upon a rodf62 carried by depending `lugs 63 provided upon the connections 26 of the two side frame members 9 and 11. A. stem 64 has'ione end secured to a rod 65 mountedain the side members 9 and 11, and has itsopposite end traversing' an aperture provided in the stop member 61.

Adjusting nuts 65 are terminally mounted upon the stem 64, and between these nuts and the stop member 61 is mounted a coiled spring' G7 which cooperates with the member Gl'to provide a yiel'dable stop for the box-like supporting' member 56.` The member` 5G is normally positioned as shown in Figures 2 and 3 iers `so that-the inclined bottom wall of the meinber will be positioned in the path of the lumber, as it is fed into the device in the direction indicated'by the arrows in Figures 2 and 3. Y Y y By reference to Figure 2. it will be seen that when the die carriers are in normal positions, they will ene'agi the stud 13, which limits their vdownward movement. When thus positioned, the springs '37 will be spaced from the lower endsof the struts 45, and from the upper portions or faces of the die carriers 29 by the action of the springs 42.

VThe springs 42 hold the flat springs 37 in engagementwith' the heads of the screws 39. By thus mounting thedie carriers with relation to the struts 45, they are permitted independent freedom of movement within certain lim-its, when engageait by the inkingroll 55, Thus, should some of the dies be worn, or a portion of the periphery of the ink roll be worn. the die carriers will'automatically adjust themselves toallow all of the dies to be engaged by the periphery of the ioll 55, when the latter is moved forwardly by the action of the lumber. Such automatic adjustment of the die carriers'will'occur before the inl; roll 55 starts to roll upwardly overl the surfaces of the'dies. Should the unevenness or irregularity in the alinement of the dies,

or in the periphery of the inkingg` roll, be suf-4 `tcient to cause the clearance or space between the springs 37 and the terminals of the struts 45, to be taken up before all of the dies have been engaged by the inliingl roll, then the springs 37 will flexby their engagement with the struts 45, until the dies are engaged by the roll. after which the inliing' roll will move upwardly over thesurfaces of the dies and into engagement with the inlrinje,` cylinder 68. rilhe end of the lumber will then engage the dies and move the die carriers upwardly into non-operative positions against the resistance required to'start the balance bars .43 in niotion, after which the momentum .of the bars7 caused by the impact of thelumberwith the dies, the lforce of Vwhich is transmitted through-'the struts, and which movement is accentuated by the resiliency of the'material from'which the .struts and die carriers are constructed, will causeV the Vbars to bound ahead, thereby pulling' thevstruts out of engagement with the springs 37, secured to the dieV carriers.

deans are provided for supplying' fresh ink to the periphery of the inlring; roll 55 eachv time a piece of lumber is passed through the device. Such means'as here shown. comprises a cylinder 68 secured to a shaft 69 rotatably mounted in bushings 71 and 72, secured to forated as shown in Figure 9 so that inl; may

feed from the interior thereof by centrifugal action when the cylinder is rotated. The inl: thus fed through the perforated wall of the cylinder is absorbed by a suitable covering 7 6, such as felt or linen, which completely coversthe periphery of the cylinder. The end wall 7 7 of the cylinder is preferably demountablc and a filler plug 70 is provided therein to permit the introduction of ink into the cylinder. (See Figure 9)` The periphery of the inkingroll 55 is also covered with a suitable covering 80, preferably of a comparatively hard felt. VThe shaft 69 extends beyond the side frame members 9 and 1l and normally is positioned `in recesses 78, provided in the upper edges of the lower portions of the members 9 and ll. The box-like Supporting member 56 is positioned between the side members 9 and ll with its outer walls in yclose proximity to the inner faces of the members 9 and l1, as shown in Figure 9. Open-ended inclined' slots 79 are` provided in Y the upper portions of the side walls ofthe inlring roll supporting member 56 adapted to receive the shaft 69, when the parts are positioned as shown in Figure 2. These' are merely clearance slots.v 1

The means provided for rotating the inking cylinder 68 Consists of a pulley 8l secured to one end ofthe shaft 69 and having a belt `82 connecting it with a relatively smaller pulley 83, terminally mounted upon one end of a shaft 84, rotatably mounted in bearings 85Vtern'iinally provided in the outer ends of `the arms 73 and 74, as shown in Figures 2, 6,

and 7. A drive roll 86 is secured to the shaft 84, and this roll is normally positioned with s Figure 2.

the lower-,portion of its periphery below the horizontal plane of the uppersurface of the lumber` as indicated by the dotted lines in disc-like rollers 88 are positioned adjacent to the side frame members 9 and ll, as shown in Figure 8. The rollers 88, in addition to providng means for the inclined edges 87 to roll upon, also provide means for spacing the outer diecarriers from the side members 9 and l1. Relatively thinner spacingwashers 89 are preferably interposed between the die carriers as shown in Figure 1l, so that the die carriers'may oscillate freely and independ-l Thus, when a piece of lumber isv ently of each other, when engaged bythe lumber. Then the parts are in normal positions, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the boxlikesup porting member 56 is positioned in such man-Y ner that theperiphery of the inking roll 55 will be spaced from the surface lof the dies,

and also withthe axis of the inking roll posi? tioned slightly below the center ofthe dies'. The inclined edges 87of the member 56 will also be spaced from the discs 88 as shown in Figure 2. The amount of clearance provided between the inclined edgesor cam faces 87 of the member 56, and the peripheries of the rollers 88, determines the degree of pressure of the inking roll' 55 against the surfaces of the dies 35, when the supporting member 56 is engaged by the lumber. This pressure can be adjusted by varying the diameters'of lthe rollers 88, or by changing the angle of the` cam faces or edges 87. It Will also be noted that theside arms 73 and 74, which support the shafts 69 and 84, will be supportedupon the cross pin 49 with which the struts 45 are engaged, when lin normal position. The'opposite ends of the pin 49 pass through inclined slots 91 provided in the arms 7 8 and 74. The entire weight of the arms 78and 7 4, and the parts carried thereby, will be supported upon the ends of the pin 49 and the lower portion of the side frame members 9 in the and 11, the bushings 7l and 72 restincg in dotbottoms of the. recesses 78, as indicate ted lines in Figure 2.

Operation.

The operation of this novel lumber marliing apparatus is as follows: The marker 1s` positioned, preferably at the discharge end of a planer or other device that moves the lumber longitudinally as shown in Figure l,

so thatl each piece of lumber from the planer or feeding meansV 1s marked on theend as it passes the marker. Inousualpractice, the lumber is fed abuttingly to the marker. The forward end of eachpiece of lumber as it leaves the planer, preferably passes'between the guides 20 and 8 after `which it engages the Y l inclined bottom surface of' the inking "roll supporting member 56 and moves it forw'ardly until the inlring roll 55 engages the dies. At substantially the same time, the inclined cam edges 87 of the side walls of the member 56willengage the rollers or discs 88 to pre- Y vent the inking roll from being thrust too forcibly against the dies. Suchengagement the member 56 to move upwardly to the posi- 12o f of the edges 87with the discs 88 also causes tion shown in Figure 4, the member 56 oscil'- lating about theraxis of the pin 57. At the Y same time, the pin 57 will be moved in the slots 58 as the member 56 isl o'scillated. When the member 56 is in the position shown in Figure V4,7the inking roll55 will be peripherally engaged with the inking cylinderr68, to

receive a thin filmof-ink.l The end'offthe .r lumber then engages the dies35, Supported in dies causes an imprint from each die ,to be made in the end face of the lumber. Oscillation of the die carriersupon the pin is resisted b y the weight ef the bars Llb as a result of the strutsl Ll being engaged by the flat springs 37 of thedie holders and the upper ends of the struts being' connected withth'e' lowerv edges ofthe Weight bars 43. As each weight-bar el?) bounds upwardly, as a result of the end of the lumber impacting with the dies, the complementary'struts l5 are pulled Y upwardly, as a result of the latter being in constant engagement with the weight bars Vby the action of the springs 46. ln the upward movement of the struts Ll5 their lower` ids are moved outwardly 1n the directiono' the lumber travel, by the cam faces 52 of the `struts engaging the pin 49. After the struts liaveth-us been moved out of engagement with the die carriers, the llatter may swing upwardly to the positionsshown in Figure 5,'V their lower ends riding upon the upper surface of the lumber. As the end of the lumber passes outy of engagement vwith the die I carriers, it nextV engages the drive roll 86, carried by the arms 73 and 74. This roll is then moved upwardly'until it rides upon the up per surface of the lumber Vas shown in Figure 5. The frictional engagement of the roll 86 with the surface ofthe board is suflicient.

t0 cause the belt 82 to rotate the inking cyl# inder `68, and, if this' cylinder is frictionallv engaged with the inking roll, the latter Will also be rotated until` its entire peripheral sur- A l face is `'coated with a-thin film of ink, the inl;

being spread evenly over the peripheral surface of the inlring .roll. Duringl this lpart .ofthe operation, the drive roll 86 will ride upon the upper surface of thejlumber, the

slots 91 in the arms 73 and 74 permitting the roll 86 to be moved 'upwardly without restriction, thus causing theV entire inking device to virtually float upon the lumber. As soon `as.

Ythe rear end ofthe lumber passes the guide block 8, the marked piece of lumber will be separated from the following piece of lumber by the weight of the inlring mechanismr floating thereon and cooperating with gravity. The parts of the marker will lthen assume their normal position, as shown in Figures 2 and 3,V in ample time to receive the next piece of lumber.

The ink used in the inking cylinder 658V is preferably of a'consistency that will not flow throughthe perforated periphery ofthe vcylinder, whenV the latter is at rest.V l/Yhenthe cylinder is rotated, lhowever, the "ink will be fed through the perforations in the wall Vthereof by centrifugal force, thus causing itto saturate the felted covering 80 of the cylinder suffieiently'to cause the ink'tor kbev transferred onto.v the periphery of the `inking peripherally engaged ly thus causing the inking roll to rotate at the same peripheral speed as theinking cyl# inder, wear on the inlring roll will be minimized. y Also, as a result of the inking roll rotating atvsuch a speed, when the roll engages the die, it will be rotating` at the same speed that it would have-to assume when rolling over the dies, caused by the lumber engaging the member 56 and forcing the roll against the dies. It is valso important in the construction of this novel device, that the inlring roll 55 be out of contact with the die when in normal position to permit the latter `to spin orto continue to rotate as a result of engagement with the inlring cylinder 68. The spacing ef the nuts 6G upon the stem 64.

Tn actual practice, it has been found that byusing a plurality of independently operable die carriers, orhol'ders, as set forth herein marks comprising several letters may be imprinted upon the end of the lumber, even thou-gh such endis notsquare with the longitudinal center line of the lumber, or even though it is very rough, such as being ridged by the saw teeth or cut with its end conveXed,

Vofr the, periphery of the inkingl roll from the die is controlled by adjustment concaved, or on'a bias. v This will be clearly` s Vtom die, caused by the end of the board being,

cut on a bias. The die carriers are also mount'l ed in the device 1n such a manner that they maybe-readily removed therefrom, as when it is desired to change the mark. This is` readilyaccomplished by simply lifting the arms 73 and Til upwardly sufficiently to per- `mitthe.withdrawal of the pin 32, after which the die carriers, mounted upon the sleeve 31,

may be removed from the side members 9 and ll, asv shown in Figurev 1l.V The inking roll 55 is also preferably mounted upon suitable ball bearings to minimize friction as much asA possible because of the necessity of the roll having to start quickly when engaged with the dies.

In the drawings, I have shown the device as comprising three die carriers. The number of' ydiefcarriers used is Adetermined by the number of letters required to 'make the desired marl. ln some cases,'"one .or two carriers may be sufficient, while in other` cases,l it may benecessary to have fouror'viive or;

even more.v v To vary `the number of die car! riers, all members extending laterally through i z the device such, for example, as the studs 12, 13, and 14, the various-parts connecting the side members 9 and 11, also the arms 73 and 74, the sleeve 31 and also the pin 32, must he varied in Vlength depending upon the number of 'die carriersto be used. In actual practice, I have found that three die carriers meet the requirements'for average marking. The iangedbolt or studV may be vertically adjusted 'in the'standard 6 to adjust the device for lumber of'various thicknesses.` The lower inclined 'or curved edges 92 of the side vmembers 9 and 11 also functiony to guide the lumber in its travell towards the dies. ils for instance, should the lumber be Warped or curved upwardly, it will engage the inclined edges 92, which will cau'se'the end of the lumber to be forced downwardly into alinement with the dies so as to properly contact therewith.

From the foregoing, therefore, it will readily be seen that Yby mountingv the ldie carriers as set forth inthis application, namely, so lthat they areadapted for independent movement mounted upon the standard 6 and is so arranged that the marker," including the side frame members 9 and 11 and all of the operating parts carried thereby, may ride orfloat upon the upper surface of-tlie lumber passing the i'narker. T he added weight of the niarker and its operatingmechanism upon the up'- i per surface of the lumber assists in'separating or moving the abut-tingly engaged pieces of lumber outof engagement with each other, as the fendof the marked piece passes over the guide block' 3. This unimportant feature because it provides Ameans for substantially positively moving each marked piecev out of engagement with'the next followingpiece as soon as the marked piece leaves the guide block 8, thus allowing sufficient time for the operating parts of the marker to assume their normalpositions before the end of the next following piece of lumber engages the inking roll supporting member 56.

' `[It will be seen that the dies are arranged `in a close association so that the characters impressed `in the `face of the lumber will. preferably constitute a desired ycomposite mark, such for example as that shown in Figure 13 of the drawings. Such mark may in dicate the Vkind-or quality of lumber or ,one or more vofthe characters vmay constitute a trade-mark or'any desired identifying mark.

I do notV confine myself' to the details yof construction herein shown and described, as the same may `be varied in'maiiy particulars without departing from my invention.

I claim as my invention.:

1.` The combination, with' means forfeed-v Ving lumber or timber longitudinally, of ya plurality of independently` operable dies mounted inthe path of the lumber for marking the end surface thereof upon impact of the lumber` with said dies, and incompressible means independently resisting' initial movement of each die when engaged by the lumber.

n 2. The combination, with means for feed ing lumber ortimber longitudinally, Y i'ality of independently operable dies mounted in the path of the lumber for marking the end surface thereof upon impact ofthe lumof aplu ber with said dies, incompressible means in- 'i dependently resisting initial movement of each die when engaged by the lumber, 'and means permitting said dies toinove out of the path of the lumber after the marking operation. l V, n

3; The combination, with meansfor feeding lumber or timber longitudinally, of a; plurality `of independently operrd'ile dies' mounted in the path of the lumber and `arranged to imprint closely associated 1characters on theend surface of the lumber -byJim-.f

pact of the lumber with thefdies, aweight member associated with each die andl adapted toresist initialVv movement thereof and' means permitting said dies'tomove outfof the f path of the lumber after the ii'iarking opera..- tion.

4. The combination, with meansfor move.-l ing lumberv or timber longitudinally, of a plurality of independently operable Vdies',

means supportingsaid dies in position. to be` brought into Contact simultaneously with the surface of the lumber, andan incompressibleA member associated with each die and adapt-1 edito resist initial moyenient thereof, and

permitting each die to'yi'eld indepeniilenlly. upon contact with the lumber.` y

5..Thecombination, with means for moy-` ing lumber or timber longitudinally, of a plu-f rality of independently operable dies, means supporting said dies vin position to be broughtV into contact.simultaneously ywith the surface f the lumber, Weight means associated with i and ifieimitting each die to yield independ-` ent-ly upon contact with the lumber whereby each die will make a uniformimpression, and

ing means to rest ontthe'moving lumber-a the marking operation.

,12.01 J means permitting said dies and their snpportl l 6. Apparatus for marking movingnliin'ibei comprising, in` combination, a iiluralityel independently operable dies, means supportingsaid dies, and a member associated with veach die and adapted to resistinitialmore?1 ment of each die 'independently, when the dies are engaged by the lumber,to cause the associatedwith each die and adapted to resist initial movement of its complementary die independently, when `the .dies are engaged bythe lumber, to cause the dies to make umform imprints thereomsaid dies being movable to inoperative positions after the marking operation. y f f Y 8. -An apparatusffor marking moving lumber comprising, in kcombinatioina plurality oi closely associated independently operable dies, incompressible means lsupperting said dies, and means resisting initial movement of each dieindependently,when the dies are engaged by the lumber, to cause the dies to make separate closely associated vimprints thereon.

9. Apparatus, for marking moving lumber comprising,' in combination, a plurality of independently ope able diecarriers, each supporting a lumber marking` die,'a weight meansv ior each carrier, and a connecting element positioned between each carrier and its complementary weight means and adapted to be enn gaged by the carrier, whereby initial movement ot said carriers, when the dies are engaged by the lumber, will be independently resisted to cause an imprint to be made upon the lumber by eacl'rdie.

10. Apparatus 'for marking lumber comprising, in combination, a plurality of inde-f pendently operable die carriers, each pro vided with a lumber marking die, an integral.

` weight memberor each carrier mounted tor pivotal movement and substantially balanced, means connecting each carrier with its complen'ienta'ry 'aveight member, upon predetermined travel of the carriers whereby initial movement of said carriers, when the dies are engaged by the lumber, will be resisted by each carrier to cause independent imprints tobe made by the several dies upon y the lumber.

11. Apparatus for marking lumber com prising, in combination, a plurality of die carriers each adapted for independent movement, a member connected lwith each carrier and arranged to resist initial movement of the carrier whenengaged by the lumber, and means disengaging said members from said carriers, upon initial movement thereof, to permit the lumber to pass the apparatus unobstructed, after beingmarked.

l2. An apparatus :tor marking moving lumber comprising, `in combination,` a plurality of closely associated` independently operable die carriers normally positioned inV the pathot' the lumber, a pivotally mounted weight member for each carrier,a connection hetgeen each carrier and its complementary ber normally positioned .to be engaged; byV

its complementary 'die carrier whereby initial vmwvement of said carrierswill be resisted by the force required to set said weight members in motion, and said connecting means being adapted to be moved out of engagement with said die carriers by oscillation of said weight members, to permit the die carriers to move to inoperative positions, subsequentlio the engagement of the lumber there with. Y

14.` An apparatus for marking moving lumber comprising, in combination, spaced trame members, a plurality of independently operable die carriers mounted between said frame members, a die demountably secured to each carrier and normally positioned in the path of the lumber, and a weight member associated with each of said die carriers for resisting initial movement of said carriers when the dies are engaged by the lumber.

15. An apparatus for marking moving lumber, comprising in combination spaced frame members, a plurality of die carriers mounted between said frame members and each .adapted for independent movement, a weight member for each die carrier, a strut carried by each weight member, each strutv frame members, a plurality of die carriers mounted between said frame members and vweight member and depending therefronr and each having one end positioned to be engaged by a die carrier to oppose initial i movement ofthe carrier whenth'e' carriers areengaged by the lumber, said struts being adapted to be moved out of engagement with said die carriers upon predetermined travel of said weight members, to permit the die carriers to be moved to inoperative positions, out of the path of the lumber after the latter has received a mark.

17. An apparatus for marking moving lumber comprising, in combination, a plurality of comparatively narrow die carriers mounted adjacent to one another, each adapted 4for independent movement, dies vvi'nounted thereon, means associated with each carrier for resisting initial movement thereof to cause the dies to make'an imprint upon the lumber, and means'for inking said dies.

155.45m' apparatus tor marking moving lumber comprising, in combination, a plurality of die carriers mounted adjacent to oneianotlier, each adapted for independent movement and dies mounted thereon, means associated yWith each carrier for resisting' initial movement thereof to cause the dies tov make an imprint upon the lumber, means for inking said dies, said means comprising `an inked roll adapted to engage and ink the dies, and an inking cylinder operable by movement, of the lumber to supply ink tok the periphery of said -inking roll.

19. An apparatusfor marking moving lumber, comprising in combination a frame,y

20@ -An apparatus for marking'- moving lumber, comprising in 'combination a frame having a plurality of die carriers mounted therein,dies mounted on said carriers, means for' resisting initial movement of said die carriers Whenengaged by the lumber, and

the appa#V an inkingrdevice adapted to be engaged the lumber to automatically ink .said dies each time a piece ,of lumber is passed through the apparatus to receive a mark.

In Witness whereof, I have khereunto set my hand this 5th day offNovember, 1927. JOSEPHl G. MCDONOUGH. 

